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Israeli Cannabis Exports on Hold as PM Awaits Further Research

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected necessary permits to export medical cannabis from Israel to Germany and other EU-countries. Netanyahu is awaiting results of new clinical trials from the health ministry as well as a National Economic Council study before allowing Israeli growers to export medical cannabis produced under the health ministry’s supervision.

Netanyahu announced his decision on Sunday following a meeting with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and Security Secretary Gilad Erdan. In August 2017, an inter-ministerial committee recommended andapproved the export of medical cannabis. According to Security Minister Erdan, he found indicators that cannabis grown for medicinal purposes was being misused for recreational purposes.

The findings prompted the Security Secretary to reject export plans for the time being.

Another reason for the unexpected move could be a change in United States’ position on the matter. U.S. President Donald Trump called the Israeli Prime Minister on Sunday before the meeting